A physician who once treated Diego Maradona told a court that the football legend’s death might have been avoided with basic medical intervention, intensifying scrutiny of the healthcare team now facing trial for alleged negligence.
During testimony on Thursday, Dr. Mario Schiter, an intensive care specialist who treated Maradona in the early 2000s and later attended his autopsy, said the former Argentina captain’s condition could have improved within two days had he been given a simple diuretic. “In about 48 hours, his condition would have clearly improved,” Schiter explained, noting that patients with congestive heart failure often recover quickly once excess fluid is reduced.
Schiter’s remarks came as seven medical professionals stand trial in San Isidro, accused of failing to provide adequate care in Maradona’s final days. If convicted, they could face sentences of up to 25 years in prison. The proceedings are expected to continue through July, drawing global attention to the circumstances surrounding the death of one of football’s greatest icons.
Other experts have echoed Schiter’s concerns. Carlos Casinelli, another doctor who participated in Maradona’s autopsy, testified last week that the star had “water everywhere” in his body at the time of death. Casinelli explained that the fluid buildup in Maradona’s organs could not have developed in less than a week, suggesting that his medical team should have recognized the warning signs earlier.
Maradona died in November 2020 at the age of 60, succumbing to pulmonary edema and cardiorespiratory arrest. His death occurred just weeks after undergoing brain surgery. Despite Schiter’s recommendation against home recovery, Maradona chose to convalesce in a rented house north of Buenos Aires rather than remain in a hospital setting.
The trial has highlighted questions about whether Maradona’s medical team failed to act decisively as his health deteriorated. Schiter emphasized that diuretics are a routine treatment for patients with fluid overload, often producing visible improvement within hours. “Every day I see patients like this in intensive care,” he said. “We give them diuretics to reduce their volume and, after 12 hours, they’re already back home.”
The case has reignited debate in Argentina about the responsibility of healthcare providers when treating high-profile patients. Maradona, revered for leading Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986, had long struggled with health issues, including heart problems and substance abuse. His death shocked fans worldwide and prompted calls for accountability.
Prosecutors argue that the medical team overseeing Maradona’s recovery failed to monitor his condition adequately and ignored clear signs of fluid retention. Defense lawyers, however, maintain that Maradona’s complex medical history made his treatment difficult and that his decision to recover at home limited the options available to doctors.
As testimony continues, the trial is expected to delve deeper into the decisions made in Maradona’s final weeks. The court will weigh whether the alleged negligence amounted to criminal responsibility or whether his death was the tragic culmination of years of declining health.
For many Argentines, the proceedings are not only about justice but also about preserving the legacy of a national hero. Maradona’s brilliance on the pitch remains undisputed, but the circumstances of his death have cast a long shadow. The trial now seeks to determine whether his passing was inevitable—or preventable with the right medical care.
